When you're at home

Some tips for how you can save money, reduce your carbon footprint and get your home ready for climate change.

Replace your hot water tank insulating jacket

A 75mm thick hot water tank insulating jacket costs approx £12 but could pay for itself in just six months. If your jacket is less than 75mm thick you’ll save energy by replacing it or putting another jacket on top.

Draught-proof your home

You can stop draughts which waste heat by installing seals on exterior doors. Draughts also get in through gaps in floorboards and skirting boards; stop this heat being wasted by filling these gaps with beading or sealant.

Sign up for flood warnings

Flood warnings will give you time to prepare for flooding which could save you time, money and heartache. You can receive free warnings by telephone, mobile, email, SMS text message or fax, whichever you prefer. Call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Install energy saving lightbulbs

They cost a little more to buy but last around 10 times longer than a regular bulb and use a lot less electricity – so they will save you money over their lifetime.

Turn off appliances at the power switch instead of leaving them on standby

If everyone in Wales did this we would save enough electricity to power 100,000 homes for a year. That’s enough money saved to pay the TV licences of almost 300,000 homes.

Turn your thermostat down by 1ºC

If every home in Wales did this we would save over £50 million a year on our energy bills.

Install loft and wall insulation

Grants may be available to help with the cost of insulating your home. If everyone had proper insulation, together we’d save enough energy to heat around 60,000 homes for a year and save 240,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Buy energy saving appliances

Look out for the 'energy saving recommended' logo on labels and choose energy 'A' rated appliances.

Switch to a renewable energy supplier

There are plenty to choose from here in Wales. Or you can ask your current supplier about their green tariff.

Links

The Energy Savings Trust can help you work out the best energy saving measures for your house. You can call 0800 512 012 to speak to an expert. Or you can vist the Energy Savings Trust website.Visit: Energy Saving Trust (external link)

Information about local shops, businesses, projects and organisations that support climate change and sustainable development. Visit: Sustain Wales (external link)